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Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BUI.2ACIB/2382
Message Board Post:
Am hoping to connect with African-American CHAMBERS descendants (and allied surnames)
whose ancestors were enrolled (some were rejected) as Cherokee freedman by the Dawes
Commission in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), 1898-1907.
Freedmen were ex-slaves of Cherokee citizens.
The family of Charles CHAMBERS is an example. Charles, age 70, was enrolled by the Dawes
Commission; Cherokee Freedman application #1017. His parents were John and Hester
CHAMBERS.
Charles CHAMBERS and Sidney WEST had the following children:
Name-Application #-Spouse-Spouse’s Parents:
Sabra, #1517, m. Samuel McQUEEN, probably Creek Freedman census card #857, John &
Peggy COOKS
Eliza, #1520, m. ______ ROGERS
Dick, #1323
Charles and Sophia SMITH had the following child.
Sallie, #225, m. __________BROWN; parented a child (Flora) with Sonney SMITH
Charles and Katie BLACKWELL had the following child.
Henry, #1426, m.(?) Dora, #1005, Robert & Melissa FOSTER
SOURCE: Dawes Commission Cherokee Freedmen enrollment cards; National Archives Publication
Microfilm, series M1186.
When finding ancestors on the Dawes Roll it is wise to check them against the 1900 Census
for Indian Territory and vice versa.
1900-Indian Territory-Creek Nation-13 Range 17 E-ED 53-Sheet 29 A (Partial):
McQueen, Samuel head sept 1865
Sebra wife mar 1865
Jameson, Evaline ward mar 1891
Your ancestor would have been living, continuously, in Indian Territory from about 1867 to
1907 to qualify for enrollment.
Waiting.
Preston